VERO BEACH — A 34-year-old man who got his arm stuck in a church drop box in an attempt to steal cash told police that “he tried to steal the money for drugs,” authorities said.
Officers later learned the man was an employee of the church and also lived on the church property, police said.
Charles Christopher Hinckley, of the 300 block of Waverly Place, Vero Beach, was charged with burglary. He is being held at the Indian River County Jail on $1,000 bond.
Police responded to a report about 9:50 p.m. Saturday of a man who called 911. The man told police his arm was stuck in a drop box and bleeding heavily at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2365 Pine Ave, between U.S. 1 and Indian River Boulevard.
Upon arrival, officers saw the man, later identified as Hinckley, with his right arm stuck, an arrest report shows. Police freed Hinckley’s arm and took him to the Indian River Medical Center for treatment.
Hinckley admitted to officers he stole money from the drop box on several occasions in addition to other church property.
Hinckley was arrested and taken to the county jail for booking. He has a court arraignment at 8:30 a.m. April 18, court records show.